Microlight Inquiry: Empathy driving design inquiry

February 18, 2017

A big focus with our design program has been building projects and designs around the concept of empathy. To be successful designers, students need to understand and empathize with a user group and design for them. The concept of empathy for the user is central to Design Thinking, and connects well with our school's International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum.

One such recent project has been the microlight project. Students researched, designed, 3D modeled, 3D printed, and evaluated a design for a microlight. Each student was given an LED bulb and one battery. Their task was to identify a user group and design a microlight that fits their needs.

As we are an all-girls school, many students started to investigate the concept of safety at night, and how adequate lighting can contribute to that. Students explored different contexts such as campers and hikers, to city dwellers and even students who live on our sprawling campus.

Analyzing the feasibility, viability, and desirability of a possible design

Ideas for possible solutions

The final product

Planning the steps for 3D modeling in Autodesk Fusion 360

Steps in the 3D design process using Autodesk Fusion 360

The design above is by a grade nine student inquiring into a design solution for female campers. The design is actually two flashlights in one--the lights can be separated to share with a person, so that neither is left without light; or the lights can be combined to provide a brighter light.

Because we were using parametric modeling software (Autodesk Fusion 360) and 3D printers, students were easily able to iterate their designs and make small changes. In the case of this design, small changes were made to the switch mechanism to better accommodate the battery and make it more reliable. In this regard, the technology allowed students to explore possibilities and continually refine their design.

Workshop: Design Thinking and Inquiry

January 31, 2017

I delivered a workshop on design thinking and inquiry at the 2017 Just Learning Conference, held this year at Branksome Hall Asia.

“Design Thinking is an inquiry process that places empathy for others at the center of design. It provides a framework for gaining empathy with a user group, identifying their needs, and inquiring into how the designer can meet those needs. ”

Link to workshop resources

SMART Goals for Designers

December 3, 2016

Developing design skills and applying them to real world contexts, as well as students' lives, is an important part of our MYP Design program. We want to see our students develop as designers and become more self-aware of how design thinking approaches can be used across disciplines. In addition to having a goal for the outcome of the project, such as the development of skills or techniques, we also want our students to develop their design mindset.

To that end, every unit includes a set of SMART goals that students write and then follow throughout the unit. They are not assessed on these goals, but they do guide our one-on-one discussions, and they are asked to refer to them as they make their design decisions.

I'm seeing some development of students' design mindset as they are making explicit what they how to develop and grow as a designer.

Student Resources

Student resource: SMART Goal slide (Google Slide to be imported into design portfolio)
Student resource: What are SMART Goals for Designers

Ergonomics of Pitchers

November 7, 2016

This small "mini-inquiry" into ergonomics was inspired by an exhibition at the Museum of Design Atlanta. The exhibit, "Nine ways to use a pitcher" by Leon Ransmeier, focused on the interaction between the handle, the user, and the vessel.

We used this activity to begin our inquiry into how forms are made and how they feel in the hand. Students all began with a basic cylinder form, and them iterated different design and handle types. This short activity provided a starting point for discussion and analysis of form, function, and usability.

Deconstructing the Design Cycle

August 22, 2016

A big focus this year is integrating the inquiry process to a greater degree with the MYP Design Cycle. It's important for students to understand that the Design Cycle is a cycle of inquiry, not just steps we follow to reach a goal.

Our first step was to look at the cycle and deconstruct it. We looked at each of the steps, and defined and described them in our own language. Students use text, images, charts, keywords, etc., to define and describe the cycle. The final step was to finish with reflection questions about the process.

As we continue our inquiry this year across a number of design units, we will return to this concept map again to help guide us.